Photo by Chad Prahl

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Check prices for these dates

Next weekend
7 Feb - 9 Feb
In two weeks
14 Feb - 16 Feb
In one month
28 Feb - 2 Mar
In two months
28 Mar - 30 Mar

Compare 41 Hostels in Santa Elena with updated reviews, rates, and availability.

Selina - La Fortuna
Pool

Selina - La Fortuna

3.0 star property
8.8 out of 10, Excellent, (186)
"Not as good as the other Selina’s in Latin America but still good. Quiet, food expensive but overall nice hotel with friendly staff. However local children do come in to use the pool so that area is not quiet."
The price is AED 243
AED 274 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Feb - 7 Feb
Selina - La Fortuna
Selina - Monteverde
Pool

Selina - Monteverde

3.0 star property
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (128)
"I stayed for 3 nights at Selina and my experience was wonderful! The hotel had a lovely, clean room and the hotel grounds were lush, beautiful and green. Getting around by foot is a bit difficult given how remote the hotel is but you are across the street from a shuttle that can take you directly to the cloud forest, the hotel has a transit stop outside of it and the hotel can provide you with a reliable, safe ride share option. There is also a restaurant on site where you can get very good...
The price is AED 240
AED 272 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Feb - 11 Feb
Selina - Monteverde
Hostel La Choza Inn
Garden

Hostel La Choza Inn

2.0 star property
7.8 out of 10, Good, (187)
"Everybody working there was very nice. The breakfast is great. The courtyard is also nice and quiet and lush. They have good deals with a lot of the tours. The neighbourhood is quiet since it’s away from the main street. The rooms are spacious and clean."
The price is AED 156
AED 177 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Feb - 9 Feb
Hostel La Choza Inn
Poshtel Arenal
Pool

Poshtel Arenal

2.0 star property
8.4 out of 10, Very Good, (176)
"Food options nearby. Shared dorms were very open. "
The price is AED 108
AED 122 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Jan - 30 Jan
Poshtel Arenal
Sleepers Sleep Cheaper Hostel
Room

Sleepers Sleep Cheaper Hostel

2.0 star property
9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (12)
"They didn't clean my room during my 3 day stay but it was a decent place to stay, and cheap in a country that is expensive, I would stay again"
The price is AED 116
AED 131 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Feb - 7 Feb
Sleepers Sleep Cheaper Hostel
coati del arenal
Front of property

coati del arenal

2.0 star property
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (2)
"Pros: refrigerator, 2nd floor (bars on windows, blinds, and locks on windows/doors), parking, A/C in the bedroom, additional blankets, towels provided, sugar, tea/coffee and basic cooking utensils. Lots of facecloths in the bathroom. Soap dispensers. Geckos (they were cute). Walkable to downtown/restaurants. Kind hosts. Responsive and proactive - replaced towels, and recommended driving through Rio Celeste to get to the location from Liberia airport as it’s a safer roadway. We understood...
coati del arenal
Hostel Cattleya
Room

Hostel Cattleya

1.5 star property
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (39)
"Nice two bedroom studio apartment about 200 meters from main hostel building. Managers were exceptionally helpful and accommodating. Only slight negative, really more of a surprise, was that they didn't accept payment via credit card."
The price is AED 73
AED 83 total
includes taxes & fees
30 Jan - 31 Jan
Hostel Cattleya
Hotel Sloth Backpackers
Terrace/patio

Hotel Sloth Backpackers

2.0 star property
7.0 out of 10, Good, (13)
"Host was real friendly and very helpful "
The price is AED 230
AED 260 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Jan - 30 Jan
Hotel Sloth Backpackers
Cabinas Vista Al Golfo - Hostel
Terrace/patio

Cabinas Vista Al Golfo - Hostel

2.0 star property
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (72)
"Great place to stay! Staff very knowledgeable of the area and willing to help. My room was very nice. Night winds were high so it was a bit loud. Nothing the hotel can change, just part of the area. Just something to be aware of in the area."
Cabinas Vista Al Golfo - Hostel
Hostel SantaFe
Room

Hostel SantaFe

2.0 star property
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (14)
"Overall a great place to stay! The showers in the room I stayed at were kind of weird and looked broken but for the price, I will take it any day. They have wonderful service and a guitar which I was able to play while I was not doing anything. I would totally recommend it. "
The price is AED 112
AED 127 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Jan - 1 Feb
Hostel SantaFe
Cabinas El Pueblo - Hostel
Terrace/patio

Cabinas El Pueblo - Hostel

2.0 star property
8.6 out of 10, Excellent, (76)
"Mother & daughter hosts are a delight and ready to assist you with all your adventuring needs. Assisting with bookings, tours, transport, advice, directions, dining queries - super lovely and kind. The accommodation is perfectly located. So convent to Santa Elena - grocery store 5 mins, food, shops- perfection.👌 The amenities are what you’d imagine for the affordability but certainty not without a feeling of local charm. Hosts have provided all one needs and are quick to assist if there is...
The price is AED 157
AED 178 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Jan - 30 Jan
Cabinas El Pueblo - Hostel
Arenal Backpackers Resort
Room

Arenal Backpackers Resort

2.0 star property
7.0 out of 10, Good, (10)
"Loved this backpackers! Super cool rooms, and the view is excellent looking straight at the Arenal volcano! Awesome pool and bar right on property and downtown is so walkable from the front of the property! "
Arenal Backpackers Resort
Arenal Sloth Hostel
Hiking

Arenal Sloth Hostel

2.0 star property
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (1)
"Great hostel situated in a nice neighbourhood, 5 minutes walk from the centre including the supermarkets and bus terminal (the centre is frankly not as pleasant as the suburbs). Rooms have secure key codes, and lockers are situated in the communal kitchen which is large, clean and well equipped. Everything was good. Would recommend."
The price is AED 239
AED 270 total
includes taxes & fees
6 Feb - 7 Feb
Arenal Sloth Hostel
Little Paradise Hostel
Exterior

Little Paradise Hostel

2.0 star property
7.4 out of 10, Good, (3)
"Alexandra is an amazing host. She was very accommodating, warm and helpful. She even brought us bread and pinto gallo in the morning. LIttle Paradise is well situated and all the major sights (La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano, Monteverde) are at most an hour drive away. The property is scenic and vast, with a beautiful view of the lake. Alexandra has big plans for the future too - a restaurant, spa and more. My travel buddy and I agree that we would have been happy to stay 2 weeks at Little Paradise -...
Little Paradise Hostel
Río Danta Hostel
Front of property

Río Danta Hostel

1.0 star property
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (3)
"Very nice hostel for a very reasonable price. I would recommend this hostel for other travelers"
The price is AED 130
AED 147 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Jan - 30 Jan
Río Danta Hostel
Hotel La Cascada - Hostel
Room

Hotel La Cascada - Hostel

2.0 star property
7.6 out of 10, Good, (5)
"We had a wonderful time. We visited La Fortuna years ago and since we’ve been back, many things have changed. We liked Cascada because it gave us the experience we had before; a modest and humble place where you see true Tic@ hospitality "
Hotel La Cascada - Hostel
Alpha Arenal - Hostel
Terrace/patio

Alpha Arenal - Hostel

1.0 star property
Alpha Arenal - Hostel
Arenal Poshpacker - Hostel
Restaurant

Arenal Poshpacker - Hostel

2.0 star property
8.0 out of 10, Very Good, (11)
"Great location, Staff is friendly and helpful! reasonably priced"
Arenal Poshpacker - Hostel
Hospedaje Linda Vista - Hostel
Shared kitchen

Hospedaje Linda Vista - Hostel

1.0 star property
6.0 out of 10, (2)
Hospedaje Linda Vista - Hostel
Hotel Indigo House
Exterior

Hotel Indigo House

2.0 star property
Hotel Indigo House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
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Other property types in Santa Elena

Suwa Villa Arenal
Front of property

Suwa Villa Arenal

3.5 star property
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (41)
"Most nicest and luxurious hotel in La Fortuna. The best location. Nice view of the Volcano.Staff was great, attentive and friendly. Hotel common areas and rooms were very clean and comfortable. The kitchen was nicely equipped to make your stay comfortable. Will definitely stay again when coming back to visit. Highly recommend."
The price is AED 518
AED 585 total
includes taxes & fees
8 Feb - 9 Feb
Suwa Villa Arenal
Cabañas del Lago
Front of property

Cabañas del Lago

3.0 star property
9.4 out of 10, Exceptional, (34)
"Very cool location. Accomodations were rustic but very natural and beautiful."
The price is AED 234
AED 264 total
includes taxes & fees
11 Feb - 12 Feb
Cabañas del Lago
Los Pinos Cabanas y Jardines
Living room

Los Pinos Cabanas y Jardines

3.0 star property
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (371)
"The front desk was good to work with and took care of the heater issue we had"
The price is AED 578
AED 653 total
includes taxes & fees
31 Jan - 1 Feb
Los Pinos Cabanas y Jardines
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Frequently asked questions

Should I stay in a hostel in Santa Elena?
By choosing a hostel you can cut your spending on lodging and use more of your budget for going out during your stay. We’ve heard good things about this destination’s natural setting, including its gardens and forests.
What is a hostel?
No two hostels look exactly the same, but these dorm-style accommodations all have shared rooms (though many have private options too), budget-friendly prices, and a social setting.
What are the best hostels in Santa Elena?
Ready to book a hostel? These ones have the highest reviews from our guests and could be a good place to look first: Hostel Cattleya - Property features include free WiFi, free parking, and tour assistance. Rooms come with towels, showers, and bed sheets. Hotel Sloth Backpackers - Property features include free WiFi, free parking, and a restaurant. Rooms come with towels, showers, and bed sheets. Sleepers Sleep Cheaper Hostel - You can take advantage of free WiFi and free parking, as well as tour assistance. Rooms come with towels, showers, and bed sheets. Cabinas Vista Al Golfo - Hostel - Guests can enjoy free WiFi, tour assistance, and a TV in a common area. You’ll find towels, showers, and bed sheets in all rooms. Hospedaje Linda Vista - Hostel - Property features include free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. You’ll find towels, showers, and free WiFi in all rooms.
How many hostels will I be able to find in Santa Elena?
If you’re looking for somewhere affordable to stay in Santa Elena, one of Expedia’s 12 hostels could be a great choice for you.
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Santa Elena?
Good weather’s always better when you’re discovering new places, so here’s some information that might be helpful: The hottest months are usually March and February with an average temp of 81°F, while the coldest months are January and December with an average of 79°F. The rainiest months in Santa Elena are October, August, June, and September, with each month seeing an average of 19 inches of rainfall.
What is there to see and do in Santa Elena?
Overall, Santa Elena is known for its flowers, many birds, and forests. Major attractions include Arenal Volcano National Park. Get out into nature with places like Monteverde Orchid Garden, Jardín de Orquídeas, and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. Cultural attractions include Ecomuseo de las Minas de Abangares.
What's the best way to get to and around Santa Elena while staying at a hostel?
Keep this information about transit options in Santa Elena in your back pocket to make the most of your stay: You can search for flights to the closest airport, which is La Fortuna (FON-Arenal), 17.4 mi (28 km) from the city center. An alternative is Juan Santamaria Intl. Airport (SJO), which is 47.5 mi (76.5 km) away.